Here’s a collection of interesting articles from around the web:
1.”The Power of Confession in Your Small Group” by Kristen Whetherell
This is what, I believe, we all want in our small groups, but it’s hard to take the first steps. The results that Wetherell describes here may be the motivation someone needs to make that initial confession and move their group to a deeper level of intimacy.
2. “Why Are Millennials wary of Freedom?” by Clay Routledge
A fascinating analysis of the declining approval of free speech among young adults and college students. The decreasing interesting this aspect of freedom, says Routledge, is tied to fear and to the cultural emphasis on psychological safety that we’ve created.
3. “Brief Thoughts on the Future of Theological Education” by Timothy George
I love what Dr. George has done/is doing at Beeson Divinity. Theological education with the personal touch is to be commended. Here he shares some general thoughts on the good and bad of our current theological educational model. I wish he had saved more space to flush out a recommended model.
4. “The Great Paradox of Psychiatry” by Mark Ruffalo
An absolutely unbelievable piece posted again at Psychology Today. This one argues that the language of disease has become a liberalized metaphor within the field of mental health, and yet since we mental disorders are not actually diseases we complicate our understanding of both the successful treatment and rising epidemic of mental disorders.
5. “A Friendly Dialogue on the Sufficiency of Scripture” by David Murray and Sean Perron
David Murray has been a friendly critic of Biblical Counseling for some time. Here he and Sean Perron, Director of Operations for ACBC, demonstrate how to dialogue in a kind and intelligent way about differences of understanding regarding the sufficiency of Scripture in Counseling. We could use more of this within the movement!
6. “I Married A Same-Sex Attracted Man. And I am Blessed” by Jaclyn Parrish
A beautiful testimony over at TGC of a wife who is seeking to follow Jesus in a difficult marriage, just as her husband is. In one sense this story is not any different from any other marriage, just altered in its details. As my friend Seth has said elsewhere:
Most people who get married definitely don’t actually marry their sexual ideal. Some, if they’re “lucky” (I scarequote lucky because in the end it doesn’t even matter), marry someone near the ballpark of their tastes. A lot of people don’t—yet they still happily marry because marriage really isn’t about our sexual tastes. The great thing is that anyone is basically capable of having sex with anyone. Whether they’re oriented in a particular way or not.
So, whoever you are, this is a great reminder of what faithfulness in marriage and to Christ looks like.
7. “How to Critique Secular Psychology” by David Murray
I am looking forward to this series from Dr. Murray. In this initial post he sets up his process of analysis and lays some ground work for what to expect as he analyzes the various psychological models.
8. “Who Are You? Paul’s Answer to the Question of Human Identity” by Susan Eastman
A quick look at a fascinating new book on the question of human identity. The author, Research Professor in New Testament at Duke University, interacts with Paul, a Greek philosopher, and modern psychologists to prove deeper into this question. Theology nerds may be intrigued to read about this new book.
Pastor Dave Online 